Withersake

Alternative forms

• wythersake

Origin

From Middle English withersake, from Old English wiþersaca ("adversary, enemy; betrayer; apostate"), equivalent to -("against") + sake. Cognate with Middle High German widersache, Modern German Widersacher ("adversary, opponent, antagonist, foe").

Full definition of withersake

Noun

1. (archaic) An apostate or perfidious renegade.
• 1822, William Bennett, Malpas:"Go to with thy trade," replied Father Adrian, "I know thee not but for a lying withersake; a base pilfering waster and drawlatch; a cutting ribald moss trooper, and doer of ran and rapine; a common lecher and brawler; ...